Bloodhounds have such an extraordinary nose, that they can distinguish - and track - the scent of individual human beings.

The Wessex Bloodhounds hunt “the clean boot” - which means that a pack of hounds hunt the scent of human runners, who set off with 20 minutes’ head start across the fields. The hounds hunt or track the runners, and the riders follow the hounds. It the hue and cry of a traditional hunt, but none of the controversy.

Senior Master, Sam Heighes (daughter of the highly respected bloodhound expert, Jeremy Whaley) and Jack Jennings, Master and Huntsman discuss the pack with Dogs with Jobs presenter, Kate Fairweather, and introduce star bloodhound, Romance.

At a training meet in South Harting the next day, we witness the gentle start to the season. Known as “tub” hunts because everyone’s a little tubby from the summer holidays, these training meets feature short hunts and are very relaxed. The riders, horses, hounds and the human quarries start to get their fitness up in readiness for the proper season ahead.

You can find out more about the bloodhounds at wessexbloodhounds.com.

Connected episodes about sporting dogs:

• Ratting with the West Sussex Warreners rat pack (February 2026)
• Meet the Sealyham terrier rat pack , recorded at the Game Fair (August 2023)
• Who’s winning at the South of England Hound Show? (August 2023)
• Meet the South Down Bloodhounds (November 2022)
• Meet the Beagles! (October 2022)
• Debit and Dervish, the hunting hound pups (November 2021)
• An insight into the breeding of hounds (November 2021)

Do you work your dog or dogs? Kate is deeply obsessed and would lov to hear from you - the more varied the better! Get in touch via team@shineradio.uk . If you search Dogs with Jobs on your podcast app, you can hear almost 100 episodes - which cover assistance dogs, police dogs, gun dogs, conservation dogs and more.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nine year old collie, Peggy Sue, is on her last agility season this year.

Owner, Rachel Williams took some time out from organising the Agility trials at Dogs Day Out in Hampshire to talk about the sport in general and Peggy Sue's career.

Rachel is interesting on the working urge in collies - Peggy Sue will retire from agility, but she has no plans to stop. She's also bringing on her younger puppy, Brie, whose parents are both working farm dogs.

She also explains why this sport - seen at the highest levels at Crufts and international competitions - remains highly accessible to any dog and handler with a close relationship and a liking for activity.

It's accessible to all - from kids to really quite old (!), and all breeds can participate from toy poodles to malinois.

Recorded at Dogs Day Out, 2026 in East Worldham, Hampshire.

Photo by Sean Cameron.

Find out more about agility:

• Kennel Club website - list of approved trainers (positive reinforcement only)
• Agility4all.co.uk - UK based agility shows for all dogs (with diary)
• Agilitynet on Facebook for meet ups and classes near you

Do you work your dog or dogs?

Please get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk if you'd like to introduce a working dog to the show!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dogs with Jobs is taking a break over the summer. Back in September.

In the meantime, keep the introductions coming - we are always delighted to hear about dogs doing interesting jobs!

Get in touch via team@shineradio.uk.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.